SMAP Celebrates Shivaji Maharaj With Event “Bhakti For Shakti” In SoCal
India-West Staff Reporter
LA PALMA, CA – The Shivaji Maharaj Antarrashtriya Parivar (SMAP) – Los Angeles Chapter commemorated Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Jayanti with the theme “Bhakti for Shakti” through a cultural and spiritual program held at Kennedy High School in La Palma.
The event on April 20 drew an audience of over 500 attendees and featured a series of performances and presentations highlighting the life and legacy of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, emphasizing his values of justice, courage, and spiritual grounding.
The evening began with a Dhol-Tasha performance by Sundeep Katre and a traditional Palkhi procession organized by Mangesh Raut and the Shree Swami Samarth Group. A puja followed, conducted to honor national heroes, accompanied by the playing of the Indian and American national anthems. Devotional music by Anil Desai set a reflective atmosphere.
A central feature of the evening was a theatrical production by Innovation Academy, involving over 65 performers. The drama explored the influence of saints like Sant Tukaram on Shivaji Maharaj’s leadership. Through a blend of music, narrative, and stagecraft, the performance aimed to convey the spiritual foundations of Shivaji Maharaj’s rule. Chants of “Jai Bhavani, Jai Shivaji” concluded the act.
Special guest Shree Vikram Wable Inamdar, a 13th-generation descendant of Maratha Sardar Janrao Wable of Mhatar Pimpri, Maharashtra, spoke about his ancestral legacy. Poet Kamlesh Chauhan shared a poem that reflected on the evening’s themes.
Following the theatrical presentation, cultural performances continued with a Bhakti Garba by Surekha Modi’s group and a Shakti Dance by Paulomi Pandit’s group.
Kamlesh Chauhan, known for her powerful and thoughtful poetry, recited a poem that resonated deeply with the audiences.
SMAP Founder Vijay Patil presented floral bouquets to civic leaders and event supporters. City of La Palma Councilmember Nitesh Patel honored the SMAP-LA leadership team with a Proclamation recognizing their community service.
Additionally, the GIVE Foundation, Jagruti Awakening Foundation, and Dr. Rajan Vaidya presented trophies to SMAP Founder and Global President Vijay Patil, and SMAP-LA President Aparna Hande, in recognition of their leadership.
